Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali may miss the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after suffering ankle and hand injuries.
His coach at Chippa United, Vusimuzi Vilakazi, confirmed that Nwabali is currently battling a serious ankle injury and also needs surgery on his hand an injury.
He has been managing for a while before worsening it during Nigeria’s World Cup playoff match in Morocco.
Vilakazi said, “It’s an ankle injury, but the hand also needs an operation because he has been playing with that injured hand for a long time. He made it worse while he was in Morocco.”
The coach expressed doubt that the goalkeeper will be fit in time for AFCON.
“I don’t think he will make it,” he said, although he noted that Nwabali believes he can recover quickly.
“He’s a player, and he wants to be at the Cup of Nations.”
Vilakazi added that the reality is that Nwabali is still injured, though he hopes the situation improves soon.
Stanley Nwabali has not played since Nigeria lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in Rabat last month.
He is currently in Nigeria’s provisional squad, but the final 27-man list has not been announced.
This injury adds to Nigeria’s growing concerns, with defender Benjamin Fredrick ruled out due to a knee injury and captain William Troost-Ekong recently announcing his retirement from international football.
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